General Membership Meeting Minutes

11 September 2005

 

Post Commander Ray Jones convened the meeting at 10:07 A.M.

 

Roll Call of Officers: Commander/Service Officer Jones, First Vice Commander/Public Relations Officer Dennis Drazkowski, Second Vice Commander/Kitchen Manager Jerry Bristle, Finance Officer Walt Howard, Chaplain John Welsh III, Judge Advocate H.J. Hardy, Sergeant-at-Arms David Butler, Adjutant Larry Wade, General Manager Sean McHale, Fil-Am Officer Ernesto Sabado(Excused), Historian Thomas Anderson(Absent), and Communications Officer(Vacant).

 

A motion was passed to accept the minutes of the 14 August 2005 General Membership Meeting subject to corrections.

 

Introduction of Guests and Prospective New Members: The only guest present was Segundo Rivera. He is a former member of Post 123(Last Paid Year = LY2004). There were no prospective new members present.

 

Chaplain Welsh said a special prayer for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and in memory of 9/11(Patriots Day). Taps were played.

 

Commander Jones swore in Finance Officer Walt Howard.

 

Finance Report: Adjutant Wade read the American Legion Post 123 Financial Report for August 2005. A motion was made and seconded to accept the Financial Report. No discussion. The motion was voted upon and the Financial Report was approved subject to audit.

 

Membership Report: Membership Chairperson Drazkowski reported that for Legion Year 2006 we have 130 Post Life Members, 17 Paid-up-for-Life Members, and 30 Annual Members for a total of 177. The annual rebate for our Paid-up-for-Life Members is P3,918.30.

 

 Balloting on Applications: There were no prospective new members to ballot.

 

Sick Call, Relief and Employment: Post Life Member John Tatum is in and out of the hospital. He is undergoing radiation treatment. First Vice Commander Drazkowski said he talked with John’s wife the other day and she said that John is getting worse. He cannot get out of bed without help and he does not want to go to the hospital.

1VC Drazkowski continues to recover from his stroke. He is receiving physical therapy four days a week. Post Life Member Dale Payne was admitted to Philippine International Hospital on August 18, 2005 and discharged on August 27.

 

Post Service Officer’s Report: PSO Jones reported that former Post Member Al Grafwohl passed away on July 28, 2005 at Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Post Life Member John Ford passed away on August 13. He was cremated on August 17. A.L. Post 123 services and VFW Post 2485 services are pending. Veteran Louie Carlos passed away on August 27, 2005 in Olongapo City. He was a member of A.L. Post 4 and VFW Post 11447. Post Life Member James Hubbard passed away on August 30, 2005. His body lay in state at Post 123 from August 30 to September 2. The Post held their Memorial Service on Thursday, September 1 at the Post. In attendance: Commander Jones, Chaplain Welsh, Sergeant-at-Arms Butler, General Manager McHale, and Adjutant Wade. He was buried at Clark Cemetery on Friday, September 2, 2005 at 10:00 A.M. VFW Post 2485 performed the gravesite service. A.L. Post 123 representation: Commander Jones and Adjutant Wade. Veteran Chuck Thomas passed away on September 1, 2005 in Olongapo City. On September 7, 2005, VFW Post 11447 performed the gravesite service at Clark Cemetery at 10:00 A.M. A.L. Post 123 representation: Adjutant Wade.

 

Unfinished Business:

  1. Post Constitution and By-Laws, Post House Rules: Judge Advocate Hardy advised the Membership that there are small changes to be made. Once they are made, they will be ready to be voted on at next month’s(October 9) General Membership Meeting.

 

  1. Status of building on Malabanas Road: The Post has accepted a check from the Landlord of the building in the amount of P27,000.00 which was deposited into our BPI Peso Checking account on Tuesday, August 30. Past Post Commander Martin McGee has promised to repay the remaining P11,000.00. Commander Jones will contact Mr. McGee this week and repay arrangements will be made.

 

  1. Labor Board: Commander Jones and wife, Kitchen Manager Bristle, and Mrs. McHale went to the Labor Board on Tuesday, August 30, 2005. The Post presented its position paper to the arbitrator and also received a position paper from the complaintant. Our attorney is working on our rebuttal to Ms. Galves’ paper. It should be ready tomorrow(Monday, September 12). Ms. Galves is asking for a 10-day extension for her rebuttal. We will go back to the Labor Board on Tuesday, September 13.

 

  

  1. The Angeles Faith Fellowship has found a new location and will no longer be using our social hall on Sundays. A motion was made, seconded, voted upon, and approved to give them a Certificate or Letter of Appreciation for their patronage and invite them back should they need a new location in the future.

 

  1. The following items have been purchased for the kitchen: One Rice Cooker, two crockpots, and one chafing dish. Total cost = P8,698.75.

 

New Business:

  1. Legionnaire Lafayette Donaldson volunteered to be the Comelec Chairman for the election of Post Officers for 2006. He will need to recruit at least three Comelec Committee members. First nominations for Post Officers will be next month(October). Final nominations will be in November and voting(if required) will be in December.

 

  1. The sale of cellular phone cards at the bar was brought up and Commander Jones and General Manager McHale will discuss this possibility.

 

  1. We should clarify our By-Laws concerning the succession to Post Commander. Currently, Article 2 – Management, Section 3 reads: All vacancies existing in the Executive Committee and declared vacant by the Executive Committee shall be filled by nomination and election at the next regular membership meeting. Article Four – Duties of Officers, Section 2 reads: Duties of the 1st Vice Commander: The 1st Vice Commander shall assume and discharge the duties of the Post Commander in the absence or disability of or when directed by the Post Commander.

 

  1. Canteen Employees Rules: At the 6 September 2005 Post Executive Committee Meeting, a motion was made, seconded, voted upon, and approved to establish rules for the Canteen Employees to include the office secretary. These rules would contain standards set by management and a list of infractions that the employees need to be aware of. They would also contain employees duties(by position). Once these rules are established and published each employee will sign them. Then they will be notarized and posted on the employees Bulletin Board. This will protect the Post in case Labor Board action is required.

 

  1. A list of all items purchased and work completed in the Post since June 12, 2005 was passed out to the Membership.

 

Good of the Legion:

  1. Commander Jones presented a Letter of Appreciation to Filipino Veterans Antonio G. Abuy, Segundo C. Rivera, and Francisco R. Tulabot to honor/recognize their service during World War II. Filipino Veteran Ernesto P. Sabado was presented with the Letter by Commander Jones prior to the Meeting.

 

  1. A special Turkey Dinner for P190 will follow today’s Meeting. Also, the Sunday Jam Session is now scheduled every Sunday from 4:00-8:00 P.M.

 

  1. The Vietnam Veterans of America will hold its Monthly Social on Thursday, September 15 at Illusions Bar on Perimeter Road at 2:00 P.M.

 

  1. The Post has a weekly “You Pick Them” National Football League(NFL) Pool and also a football and World Series squares pool. Help support the cause by buying a few.

 

  1. Raffle tickets for the 10th International AA Fall Roundup 2005 Philippines in October and raffle tickets for Chapter 887 Vietnam Veterans of America Annual Raffle: Tickets for the AA are P500 per book of 10 tickets or P50 per individual ticket. This is very important since 50% of this money goes to help our Santa for the Children(250 of them) event on Saturday, December 3, 2005. Tickets for the VVA are P200 per book of 11 tickets or P20 per individual ticket.

 

  1. Sergeant-at-Arms Butler purchased a new United States flag for the Post. Thank You, David!

 

  1. Legionnaire Donaldson briefed the Membership on the Patriots Day, POW MIA Day Breakfast held at VFW Post 2485 this morning at 8:00 A.M. The Guest Speaker recalled what happened on September 11, 2001 which was very informative.

 

  1. The Post Pool Team is looking for pool players. Contact Ray Jones or David Butler if interested.

 

  1. Vigils: Due to the lack of support when we have a Veteran “Lying in State” at the Post Home, we no longer ask for volunteers to perform this duty.

 

  1. Commander Jones closed the meeting at 11:03 A.M.

 

 

Compiled by: Larry Wade                    Attested to: Raymond Jones

                       Post Adjutant                                     Post Commander       

 

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